Windows help define the style, comfort, and efficiency of your home. Whether looking at replacing your current windows or making selections for a new home construction project, a few key choices around style, color, glass and energy efficiency that will make a tremendous difference.
Just like all products, window styles have evolved over the years. Consider both the look and the functionality of the windows as you explore options. Just because your current home has a certain style of window doesn’t mean you can’t change it. Work with your contractor to see what options you should consider for your home.
Window color can make a huge impact on curb appeal and the overall aesthetics of your home. And there have never been more choices around color for windows. For vinyl windows, colors can be extruded, laminated or painted.
There are options around the amount of natural light and short-wave heat energy that windows allow in (e.g. Low-Emissivity Glass) and the gas-fillings between the panes of glass to help with energy efficiency. Glass choices have a tremendous impact on the comfort of your home and help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Do your research and look for the ENERGY STAR rating as a guide.
Atrium provides a full-lineup of vinyl windows for you to explore. Just because you have a certain window style today doesn’t mean you have to replace it with the same type. Consider the look and functionality for each window and explore the options to best meet your needs.
If you want to learn more about window style, please watch our Windows 101: Window Styles video.
If you want to learn more about the parts of the window, please watch our Windows 101: Anatomy of a Window video.
The National Fenestration Rating Council is a non-profit organization that establishes objective window, door, and skylight energy performance ratings to help consumers compare products and make informed purchase decisions. These performance numbers appear on window labels:
U-Factor (range 0.2 – 1.2) measures how well a product can keep heat from escaping from the inside of a room. The lower the number, the better a productis at keeping heat in. The lower the number the better. (See item “A” on sample label)
SolarHeat Gain Coefficient (range 0-1) measures how well a product can resist unwanted heat gain, which is especially important during summer cooling season. The lower the number, the less you’ll spend on cooling. The lower the number the better. (See item “B” on sample label)
Visible Transmittance (range 0 – 1) measures how much natural light can come into a room. The higher the number the better. (See item “C” on sample label)
Air Infiltration/Air Leakage (range 0 – 0.3) measures how much air will enter a room through a product. The lower the number, the fewer drafts you’ll experience. The lower the number the better. (Not picture on sample label image)
Learn more about the National Fenestration Rating Council by visiting: www.nfrc.org.
The Above is a sample NFRC product ratings label for an Atrium window.The ratings on this label help you identify the energy performance ratings a particular window meets. A: U-Fcator (U-Value), B: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and C: Visible Transmittance (VT).
Atrium doesn’t sell directly to homeowners but we’d love to help you get connected with an installer who can help you with your project. If you’ll give us your email address and let us know where you’re at in the country we can quickly get you in touch with someone who can help you answer questions and further explore your options.